Health funding plan lacks doctors' input: minister

The New South Wales Health Minister has continued his attack on the Federal Government's offer for public hospital funding, accusing it of failing to involve planning from clinical practitioners.

The $42 billion plan was angrily rejected by state and territory ministers yesterday, who claimed it actually represented a $1 billion funding cut.

Morris Iemma says any future funding plan must take up reform suggestions from health professionals.

"Apart from the argument about the actual levels of funding... what is more important out of yesterday is the principle of clinical involvement in the shape of this new five-year agreement," Mr Iemma said.

"The fact is that has been ignored... that is the real lost opportunity."